New Arrival Information
Be kind to yourself and have grace for yourself when you first arrive in South Korea.
When you arrive in South Korea, you may find yourself scrambling to acclimate. That's ok and that is normal. You are dealing with a new language, new culture, new customs, new foods, new co-workers, and often-times a new career. Culture shock is a very real and often painful experience. Taking the time to inform yourself about the world around you will couple perfectly with having grace for yourself and others.
South of Seoul volunteers empathize deeply with your struggle.
We have also struggled through that pain as well and our mission is to help minimize the struggle as much as possible. That's why South of Seoul volunteers put together this list of blogs that each shares something we wish we had known in the first three months of our arrival in South Korea. We recommend revisiting these blogs regularly over the first three months because each time you read them something new will stand out.Is there a blog you think we should have on this list?
Information you wish you had? Please leave a comment or message us at southofseoul@gmail.com and we will add it to our list of blogs to post.
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Best Phone Apps in Korea, ESL/EFL Educators Welcome Packet, International Student Welcome Packet, New Arrival Information, USA Military Welcome Packet
Best Apps for Living in South Korea
Looking for the best apps for life in South Korea? Here is a list of our volunteers favorite apps. If we are missing one, tell us!
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ESL/EFL Educators Welcome Packet, Fun & Entertainment, International Student Welcome Packet, March in South Korea, SOS Seasonal Guide: Spring
March in Korea is About Academia
Have you ever wondered why March is a quiet month in South Korea? Wondering why there isn’t a lot going on around the country? The quiet time exists because March is all about the start of the new academic year. Additionally, March marks a time of great change and turmoil for many in the international community. Let’s talk about it so that it feels easier to manage. About the Academic Year in South Korea South Korean schools start the academic year in March and complete the academic year in January.…
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Driving Tips, Education, ESL/EFL Educators Welcome Packet, International Student Welcome Packet, Public & Private Transport
Getting Your Korean Driver’s License from Scratch
Hello, I am an English educator from the United States living in rural South Korea. Recently, I went through the testing process for my South Korean driver’s license at the Yongin Driving Center. I thought it might be helpful to share my story. I can only speak from my experience here, some testing sites might differ. Let’s go…. About Getting Your Korean Driver’s’ License as a US Citizen Since Driver’s Licenses in the United States are issued by state, each state has its own reciprocity agreement with South Korea regarding…
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Understanding Residency in South Korea
Would you like to better understand how becoming a South Korean resident allows you to integrate into South Korean governmental, social, and financial systems? In this blog post, South of Seoul volunteers attempt to break down the interlinked systems that create the foundation for a smooth and easy life as an international resident of South Korea. About South Korean Government Structure South Korea has a centralized democratic republic government divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. This means that Korea’s governmental power, as a country, rests in the body of citizens…
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Permanent Change of Station (PCS) to Korea during a pandemic: A family’s story
One military families experience moving to South Korea. Learn more about the PCS experience to from Hawai'i to Gyeonggido.
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Best of Pyeongtaek, Breweries, Pubs, & Craft Beer, Cafes and Bakeries, Dining & Drinks, Pyeongtaek Restaurants, Restaurants and Bars, USA Military Welcome Packet
Best of Pyeongtaek Poll 2021 Winners
What is the South of Seoul Best of Pyeongtaek Poll? South of Seoul is proud to host the 5th Annual Best of Pyeongtaek Poll in celebration of our delicious and delightful community. The South of Seoul volunteer organization has supported ex-pats living outside of Seoul since 2015. The South of Seoul (SOS) volunteers and manage multiple Facebook groups, the South of Seoul Facebook page, South of Seoul blog, and South of Seoul smartphone app. In 2021 the South of Seoul volunteers also launched the SOS Public Health which researches and distributes information to…
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Driving Tips, Education, ESL/EFL Educators Welcome Packet, International Student Welcome Packet, New Arrival Information, Public & Private Transport, Real Estate & Auto, Tips of Living Your Best Life, Tourist and Traveler Welcome Packet, USA Military Welcome Packet
Detailed Information Regarding the Korean Expressway and HiPass System
Unfamiliar with the Korean expressway and HiPass system? We’ve got your covered. Making the most of your stay in Korea means taking advantage of every opportunity to travel. For most trips that are over 2 hours away, OR when driving into Seoul, you may encounter at least one toll along the way. Setting up a HiPass system can make such trips less stressful and save you money. Here is what you need to know. About Korean Expressways Korean expressways are toll roads that crisscross South Korea. Korean Expressway Corporation manages the…
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US Military: Banking in Korea
Here are some things that individuals associated with the US Military may want to know about opening a checking account in South Korea. About Banking In Korea Like banking systems around the world, Korean banking is designed for the people of South Korea and the Korean social systems. Much like the United States does not allow foreign nationals to freely open bank accounts free of all restrictions, South Korea also has banking requirements for international residents. This blog post will talk about some (but not all) of the ways South…
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December in South Korea, February in South Korea, Fun & Entertainment, Gangwon-do Adventures, January in South Korea, Outdoor Activities, SOS South Korean Seasonal Guide: Winter, Tourist and Traveler Welcome Packet, Winter Sports
7 Best Ski Resorts in Gangwon-do
About Skiing in Gangwon-do Gangwondo has a variety of resorts and offers the best skiing and snowboarding in South Korea. Gangwon-do takes up the northeastern part of South Korea. Mountains cover the vast majority of Gangwon-do. If you love skiing or snowboarding, you will love a day on the slopes of the ski resorts included in this blog post . As always, you can find such resorts in the South of Seoul app which can be downloaded from Google Play or the Apple App Store. Gangwon-do hosted the 2018 winter…
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Korean Travel & Adventure, SOS South Korean Seasonal Guide: Summer, South Gyeongsang, Tourist and Traveler Welcome Packet
Everything You Need to Fall in Love with Namhae
Not enough information exists on the magic that is Namhae-gun. Hopefully, this blog puts Namhae-gun South Korea on your travel list this year. About Namhae-gun Namhae is a county in South Gyeongsang Province with a mostly aging community. The county is a great place to visit if you’re trying to “get off the grid” and/or learn more about Korean history and culture. The area offers a relaxed and gorgeous place to collect your thoughts and get inspired. If you’re planning a family trip, then this is a perfect opportunity to…
